Skip to main content

Center School Re-Use Advisory Team Announces Series of Public Forums

By contributor,
townseal_trans_127_1.gif

The Center School Re-Use Advisory Team (“CSRAT”) is seeking public input on the potential future uses for the Center School Property.

CSRAT will be holding a series of public forums in early 2018. The first forum, currently scheduled for Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 10 A.M. at the Hopkinton Senior Center, 28 Mayhew Street. The forum will provide an overview of the building and the property, discussion of the criteria for the committee to consider in making its recommendation, and solicitation of ideas regarding the future use or disposition of Center School. CSRAT plans to have two additional public forums, tentatively scheduled for March and April 2018.

In addition, residents are asked to provide input on the project by completing a questionnaire, now available online at www.hopkintonma.gov. Paper copies of the questionnaire are also available at Hopkinton municipal locations, including Town Hall, Hopkinton Library and Hopkinton Senior Center. Completed questionnaires can be mailed to CSRAT, Hopkinton Town Hall, 18 Main Street, or dropped off at Hopkinton Town Offices, 80 South Street.

Located at 11 Ash Street, Center School has served the Hopkinton community as a school building since it was originally constructed in 1928. This original building is listed with the Hopkinton Center Historic District. Center School has been expanded twice, first in 1954 (known as the 1950’s addition) and again in 1986 (known as the 1980’s addition). The school building is approximately 50,220 square feet, and it sits on a total land parcel area of 11.7 acres which includes play areas, parking spaces and a wooded/hilly area.

With the upcoming opening of the Marathon Elementary School anticipated in the fall of 2018, the Board of Selectmen formed the CSRAT to explore the future of Center School. The Board of Selectmen’s charge to CSRAT is: “The Center School Re-Use Advisory Team will recommend, for the Board of Selectmen’s consideration, a plan for the Center School building and property that will provide the Board with valuable outside viewpoints on the use and development of the property. This plan shall outline the community’s vision for the future use of the property and produce recommendations for the Board’s consideration that align with the aspirations of the community.”

Consisting of five residents appointed by the Board of Selectmen, CSRAT is led by Chairman Richard Flannery, and Vice Chair Kenneth Weismantel. The additional three committee members are Laura Barry, Darlene Hayes and John Pavlov. Comments or questions the Committee can be emailed to csrachair@hopkintonma.gov.